How much should I be willing to pay a Certified Professional Photographer?

Question

I've been searching for a photographer for a wedding, and recently came across one touting that he is a "Certified Professional Photographer" he wanted $500 just to talk to him and mentioned that $4000 was "about average" for a total cost. This seems extreme to me, and I wish to compare, but can't find any price lists anywhere. So does anyone know what the average "certified professional photographer" really costs?

Answer 1

Ok- first of all there is no certification of photographers(in the US anyway)

      As far as the price goes it depends on the area you are in.  4 grand sounds pricey to me, I wouldn't pay that much, but that's me.  I have never charged for a meet.  Usually at the meeting the photog shows the client his portfolio and then decides yes or no- if no, handshake, have nice day!  If yes, the the contract comes out, is gone over agreed to and signed and then a deposit is collected to secure the date.  The deposits can range any from 1/3 to half of the cost of the package.  I just did a quik search and the average price for full day coverage is around $2500. That included prices as low as $200 to as high as $7000.  Depending on what one was wanting.

Answer 2

Certified Professional Photographer?  Waste.  He's just another pro.  How did he become "certified"?  What credentials does he have and are they listed on his website?  And references?

$500 is a typical deposit fee, not a meeting fee.  I'm not too big into the wedding photography business, but I have friends who are.  What all does the $4000 include?  $4000 is a little bit pricey.  I'm sure you could get someone else that is just as good but for cheaper.  A typical meeting fee would be about $50, if at all.

Have you even seen much of his work?

All these questions I asked should be easily answered without paying $500.

Answer 3

$4000 is on the high side.  It's what the people who don't need money pay for stuff like that.  The consultation fee should be free.  Apparently he only wants to talk to people who are serious about hiring him. The "Certified" label means absolutely nothing. I've been certified for over 20 years, but I don't charge people out the nose for anything.  All you need is someone who has experience shooting weddings.  They need to know what poses to put you in, while watching out for your hair and where your hands are and if your dress is falling down or not.  They also need the camera and lighting to take high quality shots.  They need to be willing to shoot the rehearsal, where you can get a lot of nice candids.  He needs to be available a few weeks before the wedding so he can shoot the bride in her wedding dress. It's much easier taking them in advance.  Things flow much smoother at the wedding that way. That's what you need to look out for, not their certifications.

You should be able to find almost anyone to do your wedding for $1500-$2000.  Check their experience and availability, not their certifications. Above all, know what you want. It makes it a lot easier on the photographer if you can give him a list of the pictures you want him to take. Remember, you're in charge, not the photographer.

Answer 4

actually anymore 4 grand is about average.  i know a guy does wedding shoots and he has a 4,000 dollar pagage, and a 6,000 dollar package, the 6 gets you a video and a few other perks.

pay close attention to the portfolio, most will show their work consult initially for free though

be prepared to pay a retainage if you hire them, they are booking their time in advance.

Answer 5

$4,000 is a little high but certainly reasonable. It depends on what is included and whether there is a second shooter there. I charge about $2,500 but this does not include a CD, prints or albums. If you add in the costs of some prints and a couple of flush mount albums you are getting close to the $4,000 mark.

My pricing is based on about $100 an hour. I typically work about 12 hours on the day of the wedding. Then about 8-10 hours after the wedding sorting, editing and doing any corrections. I then will order a proof book of the photos.

Remember that you get what you pay for. Just because someone has a nice camera does not mean they can do wedding photos very well. A good wedding photographer has experience and a lot of money invested in the proper equipment to make sure that the pictures come out great. Hopefully you will only get married once. You want to have great pictures that you will be proud to someday show your grandchildren.

Answer 6

I don't no the average cost but $4000 dollars is way to much.Try to find another certified professional photographer.Or just buy a good camera and ask someone to do it.GOOD LUCK

Answer 7

Who does this man think he is?  

Certified Professional Photographer - BS!

$500 just to talk to him is nonsense - he is a rip off.  $4000 for a wedding, unless you are the richest girl in town and your father wants to have your pictures all over the wall, is absurd.  

I would call friends who have had wedding in the past year or so and ask them who did theirs and if they were satisfied with the work.  research, then, by word of mouth and don't look through the yellow pages.  Ask to see a folio, even if you are looking at the pictures of your friends' wedding.

I would be glad to shoot your wedding for you, especially if you don't want your marriage to succeed.  My wedding shoot/marriage ratio is way out of whack, but then I don't charge you $4000 either.  

Answer 8

Meeting fee? A doctor doesn't even charge that.

I don't charge for a meeting fee.

p.s. "Certified Professional Photographer". Does this means his name is written like John Doe, CPP?